Original blues vinyl pressings are cousins to jazz and soul LPs in terms of scarcity and availability in super-clean condition, just a few of the reasons why they are often super-expensive propositions in the collector’s marketplace. That all makes these four truly outstanding Acoustic Sounds-pedigreed reissues from Verve/UMe and Craft Recordings’ Bluesville series all the more important — in effect, bringing a quartet of classic LP rarities back into more widespread availability in a high-quality manner. Read Mark Smotroff’s Short Cuts combo review to see which of these four 180g 1LP AAA releases from John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Mississippi John Hurt, and Lonnie Johnson With Elmer Snowden belong in your collection. . .

Welcome to Part 7 of Julie Mullins’ Florida International Audio Expo 2025 show report. This time, Julie enters the Palm Room to check out the VPI Avenger Statement turntable, VAC Statement Phono preamp, Acora Acoustics’ VRC stone speakers, and more. . .

Here we are with Part 6 of Julie Mullins’ Florida International Audio Expo 2025 show report! For this installment, Julie heads into the Brandon 2 Room to experience a Bergmann Galder & Odin Gold Edition turntable, Air Tight Opus-1 MC cartridge, Western Electric 116C phono preamp, YG Acoustics XV 3 Signature speakers, and more. . .

It is always refreshing to share a truly good story about a person with a vision achieving bonafide success in the music business — especially when it comes to selling records. Surfing the wave of the resurgent interest in all things vintage vinyl, San Francisco’s Tunnel Records. Read Mark Smotroff’s interview with shop founder Ben Wintroub to see just how he’s made not one but three great Tunnel Records SF locales thrive. . .

Hello and welcome to Part 5 of Julie Mullins’ Florida International Audio Expo 2025 show report! This time around, Julie checks out J.Sikora’s amazing Initial MAX Special Edition turntable, in addition to a J.Sikora KV12TVA 12in tonearm, Ortofon AS-309R 12in tonearm, Aidas Tru-stone Gold Web cartridge, Doshi Audio Evolution phono preamp, and more. . .

Welcome to Part 4 of Julie Mullins’ Florida International Audio Expo 2025 show report! Here, Julie goes to the Brandon 5 Room to experience a system comprised of United Home Audio’s Ultima Apollo open-reel tape deck, MBL 101 E MKII loudspeakers, a pair of MBL 9011 mono power amps, and more. . .

Mercury Studios has seen fit to go all-in on Supertramp’s Live in Paris ’79, which they just released as a fully expanded, complete-concert 3LP set on February 28, 2025. Read Mike Mettler’s review to see if this version improves upon the original, somewhat truncated 1980 2LP version then more simply known as Paris. . .

Hello and welcome to Part 3 of Julie Mullins’ Florida International Audio Expo 2025 show report! Here, Julie visits the Sabal Room at FLAX to experience the mighty wonders of the Esoteric Grandioso T1 turntable, Esoteric Grandioso E1 phono preamp, and more. . .

Welcome back to Part 2 of Julie Mullins’ Florida International Audio Expo 2025 show report! Here, Julie hits the demo rooms for Supreme Acoustic Systems to see Benny Audio’s Odyssey Turntable in action, along with support from Lyra, Air Tight, AudioQuest, and Cardas Audio cables. . .

Now that you’ve seen Ken Micallef’s turntable-centric video from Florida International Audio Expo 2025, it’s time for Julie Mullins to officially kick off her own FLAX 2025 show-coverage series. First up: Julie visits Fidelity Imports, the noted distributor who showcased some great new gear from British stalwart Michell and German upstart Knosti. . .